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Harvey L. Vanier, who saddled two winners of the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland during his long training career, died Dec. 1 in Versailles, Ky. He was 89.

Vanier sent out his first Keeneland winner during the 1951 fall meeting and won 143 races here through the 2006 fall season. He was the leading trainer during the 1987 spring meeting when he won seven races.

In 1983, Vanier sent out 19-1 longshot Play Fellow to win the Blue Grass. The colt raced for Vanier’s wife, Nancy, and partners Carl Lauer and Robert Victor.

LEXINGTON, KY (April 13, 2013) – Charles Fipke’s homebred Java’s War overcame a slow start to catch Palace Malice in the final yards to win the 89th running of the $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) by a neck before a crowd of 37,161 on a bright Saturday afternoon at Keeneland.

Saturday’s attendance is the second largest in track history, surpassed only by the 40,617 on hand for last year’s Toyota Blue Grass Stakes.

“This isn’t about me. Mr. Fipke (breeder and owner Charles E. Fipke) puts a lot of money in this game. He breeds a lot of really quality mares. He really studies it. He bred a really nice horse, and we’re fortunate to have it in our hands. Yeah, it’s fun for me, but listen he’s the one who put up the dough and I’m thrilled for him.”

LEXINGTON, KY (April 10, 2013) – Magdalena Racing’s War Dancer, who spotted the field nearly 10 lengths after being unprepared at the start, rallied from last in a field of 12 to win the featured $60,000 Taylor Made Purse for three-year-olds by a half-length over Positively before a crowd of 9,359 on a warm Wednesday afternoon at Keeneland.

Trained by Ken McPeek and ridden by Alan Garcia, War Dancer covered 1 1/16 miles on a firm turf course in 1:42.44.